Name: Don Egdorf
Hometown: Oceanside, NY But grew up in Houston
Age: 47
Occupation: Police Officer
Tell us about your sports & fitness background
I played all sports growing up and was lucky enough to become a pro hockey referee. I continued playing recreational hockey until my latest shoulder surgery. I still referee at the competitive youth, adult and college club levels.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel?
I had a total shoulder replacement in October of 2013 so I really needed something to get some strength back in my shoulder. I have a friend that kept telling me I would like it and convinced me to give CrossFit a try. I really stressed over it because of my shoulder issues but managed to make it through my first WOD. I can’t remember what my first WOD was, but those first few weeks were pretty rough. I remember feeling embarrassed when I had a hard time lifting the 15lb training bar over my head and thought I made a huge mistake.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF H-Town (before/after)?
TOTAL CHANGE!! When I started last year, I was the heaviest I’d ever been at 248lbs. It was slow and frustrating at the start, but I finally started seeing, and feeling, the changes in my body. I am down 40lbs and feel great. I have more energy and keep trying to push myself harder every workout. A big part of changing my body was changing how and what I eat. That has probably been the hardest part. This summer was the first time in almost 14 years that I have had to get new uniforms because I needed smaller ones..
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?
I didn’t really think that I would see results like I did. My goal starting out was to just not get hurt, or damage my new shoulder. As the weight started coming off, I got more excited and motivated to do more. Probably the most unexpected thing that has happened is that when I travel, either work or fun, I start looking to see where the closest CrossFit gym is so I can drop in while I’m in that city. I never thought that I would take on something like Olympic lifting and I remember asking Theo about it one day and said to him I could never do that.. Now many Tuesday’s and Thursday’s I’m doing Oly and a WOD in the same day.
Do you have a favorite/least favorite movement/lift?
Favorite… Probably snatches because it’s one of the hardest lifts for me to do. It’s really a challenge because of my shoulder limitations but I get excited every time I hit a new weight. Just don’t ask me to squat once I get it up there.
Least favorite… Burpees seem to just suck the life right out of me.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
We have two kids in high school that keep us on the run but when I’m not working, which seems to be all the time, I enjoy photography. I started shooting my son’s hockey games a few years ago to help keep my stress level down (being a goalie parent isn’t easy) and it’s really turned into something that I love to do almost anywhere. Most of what I shoot is either sports or landscape related but the camera goes with me everywhere and I am always looking for something new to shoot.
Any advice for people just getting started? Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / H-Town moments:
Don’t stress out in the beginning and NEVER compare yourself to the people that have been there longer than you. I did that and it was not good. I hate losing and looked at the workouts like a competition when I started so it was frustrating when I couldn’t finish WOD’s and couldn’t lift what other people were lifting. The only person you should be competing with is yourself and that is only to do better than the day before. Talk to the coaches and don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.